Visiting Taiwan means amazing food everywhere and that includes the fruit! Because Taiwan sits in the subtropical zone, the island has the perfect climate for growing all kinds of tropical fruit. Hot, humid summers and short, mild winters create the ideal environment for sweet, juicy produce that tastes fresher than anything I've found in the States.
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Every time I visit Taiwan, I make sure to check out the local fruit stands. On this trip, I found some of the most colorful and delicious fruit. Some were fruits I grew up eating, some were ones Chris tried for the first time, and all of them made me wish we had Taiwan-style fruit vendors in Atlanta.
Here's a look at what I saw and tasted!
Yellow Watermelon (黃西瓜 Huáng xīguā)
Yellow watermelon is common in Taiwan and shows up in grocery stores and fruit stands during the warmer months. The inside is a beautiful golden yellow color, and the flavor is slightly sweeter and more honey-like than red watermelon.
Vendors often chill slices on ice, which makes them extra refreshing in Taiwan's heat. Nutritionally, yellow watermelon is very similar to red watermelon - just a fun, summery twist if you've never tried it before!
Taiwanese Guava (芭樂 Bālè)
You can buy guavas in the U.S., but I swear they are nothing like the ones in Taiwan.
Taiwanese guavas are big, crisp, juicy, and naturally sweet. A lot of street vendors sell them chilled and pre-sliced, often with a little packet of plum powder for dipping. That sweet, salty, tangy plum powder with crisp guava is such a classic Taiwanese fruit stand combo.
If you visit Taiwan, definitely grab guava from a fruit stand!
By the way, look how big they are - here's my hand for scale:
Starfruit / Carambola (楊桃 Yángtáo)
Starfruit is one of the prettiest fruits. When you slice it crosswise, it forms perfect little stars, which makes it so fun to eat.
The flavor is refreshing, lightly citrusy, and kind of like a mix between apple and plum. When it's fully ripe, starfruit is sweet; when it's less ripe, it leans more tart.
In Taiwan, you'll often see starfruit sold at fruit stands already washed and ready to eat, so it makes a super easy on-the-go snack.
Papaya (木瓜 Mùguā)
Papaya is one of those fruits that tastes completely different in Taiwan compared to the U.S.
Taiwanese papayas are larger, sweeter, and so much more fragrant. You can smell that tropical aroma the moment you slice one open. The texture is smooth and creamy, and the flavor is naturally sweet without being too heavy.
Papaya is everywhere in Taiwan - fruit shops, night markets, breakfast stands, juice stands, and even convenience stores. Vendors will often help you choose one that's perfectly ripe for eating that same day, or one that needs a little more time on the counter.
One of the most iconic ways to enjoy papaya in Taiwan is Papaya Milk (木瓜牛奶 mùguā niúnǎi), which is usually just ripe papaya blended with fresh milk. It's creamy, refreshing, and tastes like a lightly sweet dessert drink. If you're visiting Taiwan, papaya and papaya milk are both must-tries!
Dragon Fruit (火龍果 Huǒlóngguǒ)
Dragon fruit is another fruit you'll see all over Taiwan, and it's hard to miss because it is so pretty.
The outside is bright pink with green tips, and the inside can be either white or a deep magenta-red with tiny black seeds. The red-fleshed dragon fruit is especially gorgeous - it looks almost too vibrant to be real.
Flavor-wise, dragon fruit is lightly sweet, juicy, and refreshing. It's not super intense or sugary, but it has a mild sweetness that reminds me a little of kiwi and pear. The texture is soft but still has a little crunch from the tiny seeds.
In Taiwan, dragon fruit is often sold whole, sliced, or chilled and ready to eat. It's one of those fruits that's perfect when it's hot outside because it's so hydrating and refreshing. Plus, if you get the red-fleshed kind, just be warned - it can stain your fingers a little!
Wax Apple (蓮霧 Liánwù)
Wax apples, called liánwù (蓮霧) in Taiwan, are one of those fruits you have to try when visiting.
They go by so many names: champoo, java apple, love apple, mountain apple, rose apple… the list is honestly kind of endless. But despite all those names and the word "apple," they taste nothing like apples at all.
At Taiwanese fruit stands, you'll often see different types of wax apples sold side by side. Some are deep red and glossy, some are lighter pink or reddish-green, and some are rounder while others have that classic bell or tiny vase shape. The flavor and texture can vary too - some are extra crisp and watery, while others are sweeter and more tender.
The outside has a beautiful glossy sheen, which is where the "wax" part comes from. When you bite into one, the texture is crisp yet tender, almost like a cross between a pear and a super juicy bell pepper but sweeter and way more refreshing.
They're lightly sweet, very hydrating, and incredibly cooling on a hot Taiwan day.
Durian (榴槤 Liúlián)
Durian is famous - or infamous - for its strong smell, but don't let that scare you too much.
Once you get past the aroma, the flavor is rich, creamy, and custard-like. It's definitely one of those fruits people either love or cannot handle, and honestly, I get both reactions.
Durian can grow pretty large, and you'll often see vendors split it open right there. The smell is intense, so you'll usually know when durian is nearby before you even see it.
Here it is being split open - making some people cringe and some people immediately hungry:
Coconut (椰子 Yēzi)
Fresh coconuts are easy to find all over Taiwan, especially at roadside stands.
Vendors often keep them on ice, then crack one open right in front of you and pop in a straw so you can sip the coconut water straight from the shell. It's unbelievably refreshing in Taiwan's hot, humid weather.
Some vendors will even chop it open afterward so you can scoop out the soft coconut meat inside.
Custard Apple (釋迦 Shìjiā)
Custard apples, also known as sugar apples and called shìjiā (釋迦) in Taiwan, are one of the most beloved fruits on the island and my fiancé Chris completely fell in love with them on our trip.
Despite the name, they taste nothing like apples. The outside looks like it's covered in little green bumps, but once you crack it open, the inside is incredibly soft, creamy, and custard-like.
The flavor is sweet, fragrant, and almost dessert-like, especially when it's perfectly ripe. A lot of people describe it as a mix between vanilla pudding and a tropical pear, but honestly, it just tastes like custard apple and nothing else.
Chris loved it so much that now he's sad we can't easily find them back home in Atlanta. See his first time trying it:
Custard apples aren't easy to find in the U.S., but in Taiwan, they're everywhere when they're in season. Vendors will often help you choose one that's ready to eat that day versus one you need to let ripen for a bit. Some stands even peel or split the fruit open for you so you can enjoy it right away.
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Looking for more posts about my travel in Taiwan? There's plenty here!
Tiffany says
I remember having starfruit juice as a kid. These pictures bring back memories..
rachel jane says
Wow! These fruits are incredible. I really could have used them in my A-Z fruit photo project!
Bharathy says
Nice pics. The wax apple looks like the fruit part of of Cashew-nuts. Do you know if they are?
Actually, any fruits that are not native gets labeled "exotic". It helps that tropical regions have a wider variety of fruits 🙂
Tina says
No Wax apples are definitely not cashew fruit, but I agree they may look a little similar from the picture!
rayyan says
veryy artistiiic and attractive ... star fruit !!!
Trèsors De Luxe says
How exotic! The sugar apples look just like artichokes!
xx ~ http://www.tresorsdeluxe.com!
Sum says
I like starfruit. I used to like durian as a child, but not when I grew older.
umaiki says
Sugar-apples are known as atis in my country.. I didn't know they were called Custard-Pineapples... That's interesting.
Fruits are just awesome. 🙂
handcraftedsoap says
wow ! beautiful !
Tales from kitchen and cellar says
Puts my fruit bowl to shame...
Ninay says
I've tasted all the fruits in this post. Wow! Didn't know Taiwan grow same fruit crops with the Philippines. Learned something new and interesting fact today. Durian is my favorite! 🙂
spoonfulsofconfidence says
I have been to Taiwan, and I have tasted all of these fruits. I find all of them very delicious except for the Star fruit. You should try visiting the Philippines. They have all of these fruits (under a different name of course) and other unique ones.
On a different note, love the post. Keep up the good work 😀
molixiu says
Mmm... makes me want fruits for breakfast!!
Lori Lipsky says
Thanks for sharing a glimpse of Taiwan. Loved the post. So interesting to learn what fruits are available there. Best wishes!!
sirarmany says
Awesome, it took me almost forever what Sugar-apples called in English. In Eastern Part of Ethiopia we call them Gishta. Thank you for all the others except papaya never even seen them before.
guen says
Wax apples are my fave. I didn't know that's what it's called in English. That is something I learned today. Thank you. We call it "tambis" in our dialect, that is also available in the Philippines. I remember when i was younger, we used to climb wax apple trees or to our neighbor's roof, get some and eat it with salt. I miss my childhood days.
Tina says
I didn't know what it was called either in English before, I had to look it up! In Taiwan they are called Lian-wu.
wardenfree says
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
i love the taiwanese street. The fruits are tempting!